Wildlife at Allseasons
Winter December, January, February, Spring March, April, May
Summer June, July, August Autumn September, October/November,
Wildlife at Allseasons
The Allseasons team have been keen to establish a variety of bird and wildlife on the site and to actively provide areas for species to breed and flourish. Take a look below at some of the species recorded on site and images taken by a professional wildlife photographer who regularly visits the site throughout the year.
Recent Sightings
Over June and July 2009 the loch is teaming with birdlife. Recently spotted are Sand Martins, Sand Pipers, lots of Ducks, the Swans and their cygnets, Canada Geese along with many, many goslings, the Heron are roosting in their usual spots around the site. There are lots of bumble bees and damsel flies which are the most brilliant colour of blue, darting through the grass. There are also lots of small frogs.
The rowan berries are starting to ripen and the thistle seeds are blowing over the site. On a foray last week, we found lots of small plums hanging from a tree amongst the hedge. The honey bees stores are gradually building for the winter.
Red list species
Five species included in the RSPB red list (priority species of conservation concern) were recorded on the site. Song Thrush, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Bullfinch, and Reed Bunting
Amber list species
A further 14 species from the RSPB amber list (species of medium conservation concern) were recorded: Teal, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew, Sand Martin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Swallow, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Grasshopper Warbler, Starling and Goldfinch.
Kingfisher and Sand Martin nest in the sandy banks of the river Irvine.
Also thousands of migratory birds visit the site to rest over for a few days and take advantage of the still plentiful supply of late summer feeding before continuing on their journey. It is not uncommon at various times of the year to see several hundred species using the lochan at any one time.
Birdlife
Barn owl, Black headed gull, Blackbird, Blue tit, Buzzard, Canada geese, Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Collared dove, Common gull, Coot, Dabchick, Great black backed gull, Great tit, Greenfinch, Grey wagtail, Hedge sparrow, Heron, Herring gull, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Long tailed tit, Magpie, Mallard duck, Meadow pipit, Moorhen, Mute swan, Oyster catcher, Pied wagtail, Pheasant, Robin, Snipe, Song thrush, Sparrow hawk, Tawny owl, Teal duck, Tufted duck, Woodcock, Wren, Yellow wagtail.
Wildlife
Foxes, roe deer, frogs.
Wildlife Diary
Here's just a brief example of the type of nature activity seen throughout the year - in coming months we will add further details and more information on what's hatching and matching on the site along with progress reports.
Winter
December
Swans circle in an area to keep it free from ice. The ducks land on the ice and skate along on their tummy's before stopping. The vixen takes chicken bones and scraps left to supplement her diet.
The rain is much colder now (it must be winter) the trees have finally shed their leaves although there are still plenty of berries and seeds about. The resident wildlife has still got ample natural feed available so there is no need to supplement their food yet.
January
Curlew, Fieldfare, Gold crested wren, Goldfinch, Great spotted woodpecker, Grebe, Greylag goose, Jacksnipe, Lapwing, Mistle thrush, Peregrine falcon, Red shank, Redwing, Rook, Teal, Whooper swan, Widgeon duck
February
Barnacle goose, Curlew, Greylag Geese and Canada Geese, Grebe, Jacksnipe, Lapwing, Mistle thrush, Peregrine falcon, Red shank, Ringed plover, Rook, Teal, Whooper swan, Widgeon duck
Spring
March
Barnacle goose, Bullfinch, Geese â“ on the island, Heron, Jackdaw, Jacksnipe, Lapwing, Lesser black-backed gull, Reed bunting, Skylark, Stock dove
April
Fish - movement seen on surface of the loch, Dipper, Geese - two nests on island full of eggs, Grasshopper Warbler - Heron nest built on log in loch in early April. Seen sitting on eggs but no chicks were seen, Heron, Jackdaw, Linnet, Sand Martin, Spotted Flycatcher, Treecreeper, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck â“ nest found second week in April with four eggs, which were taken by crows, scavenging along the edge of the road track, Fox - vixen, Yellowhammer.
May
Geese and Goslings, which hatched on the islands. Honey Bees - swarmed from hive next to lochside. House Martin, House Sparrow, Lesser Redpoll, Oyster Catcher - laid eggs on gravel stockpile, Robin - nesting in old tyre frame behind shed, Sand Martins, Swallow, Swift, Whitethroat
Summer
June
Deer, Heron - nesting, Sand Martin, Sand Piper, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Fox - Vixen, Wood Warbler
July
Bumble Bees
August
Heron - large increase in numbers sighted
Roe Deer - seen with Fawn in Barrwood fields
Buzzards - as many as three can be seen on clear days, Starling
Autumn
September
Coal Tit, Greenfinches - flock feeding on rosehips at yard
Butterflies - feeding on budlias at the site, Red Admiral Butterfly, Tortoiseshell Butterfly
October / November
Lapwings arrive on the island, Fieldfares feeding
It's been a strange autumn this year. Normally there is quite a distinct difference in the monthly conditions on and around the lochan, but this year the weather has been so mild that the natural cycle of tired migratory birds leaving more or less 'en block' to rest and feed before moving on has not been as predictable each month. Usually the birds show a measure of urgency in these activities in their attempts to move south ahead of winter, but this year they were definitely in no hurry and when they did leave it seemed to be on the basis of habit rather than need.
